Submitted photo - Charles Humphreys, executive director of Main Street Point Pleasant, accepts a grant commitment of $220,000 from Gov. Joe Manchin during the governor’s reception, which was held May 12 in Charleston. The grant will go toward the restoration of the A.F. Kisar “Kincaid” House.
In the past five years, the organization has brought more than $7 million in investments to the community. During the governor’s reception, which was held May 12 in Charleston, the organization was presented a grant commitment of $220,000 from Gov. Joe Manchin.
According to Charles Humphreys, executive director of Main Street, the grant money will go toward the restoration of the A.F. Kisar “Kincaid” House,” located on Third St. in Point Pleasant.
“We started doing grants two years ago for the (A.F. Kisar House) project. We are currently up to $476,000 in grants to restore the house,” Humphreys said.
He added that the house is a very important piece of area history. According to Humphreys, the home was built by A.F. Kisar, a local merchant, in 1895.
“Restoring the (A.F. Kisar House) is a significant part of our revitalization program of downtown Point Pleasant. Not only will it be a big attraction, the house also will hold the A.F. Kisar House and Margaret Kincaid Museum,” Humphreys said. “The house will be used to attract more tourists to the area and will possibly be used to house a genealogy project.”
The restoration of the A.F. Kisar “Kincaid” House is just part of the many projects that Main Street Point Pleasant has worked on. Other projects that the organization has brought to the area include, the Point Pleasant Riverfront Park, Point Pleasant River Museum, Gallery at 409, and the Mothman Museum and statue. In addition, Main Street was instrumental in creating the riverfront park historical murals, which include a sound system. Mural artist Robert Dafford will complete the three historical lessons section of the murals this summer. The new additions will be depictions of George Washington’s Lost Colony, The Daniel Boone Years and The Life and Times of Mad Anne Bailey. According to Humphreys, the murals encompass a total of five historical lessons, which creates West Virginia’s largest outdoor arts and history presentation. Main Street Point Pleasant also presents the Krodel Park Christmas Fantasy Light Show each year.
“Our vision is to bring Point Pleasant alive with the bustling of new businesses,” Humphreys said, adding that tourist attractions are the key element to growing the area with both visitors and businesses.
“Our project started with a stage at the Riverfront Park and then you bring in the attractions and then fill up the empty seats,” he said. “In my opinion we will have all the store fronts filled in the next year.”
According to Humphreys, the area’s first official bus tour will arrive in Point Pleasant on July 1. Humphreys said that the organization is focused on bringing in more bus tours and group tours, such as senior and Red Hat tours.
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